Double Helix Core Clerkship Grade Definitions

Honors 20%
H. Pass 30%
Pass 50%
P(m) 0-5%
Fail 0-2% (Must be repeated and Pass is the highest
grade that can be assigned)
Incomplete
Withdraw Failing (WF)

The following grade definitions will be used for the core and required clerkships:

Honors: Academic and clinical performance rated as exceptional by all evaluators. Personal and professional qualities outstanding. Shows promise to excel in the most competitive residencies and will receive vigorous departmental support in applying for these. (In a typical year, approximately 20% of students will achieve this grade.)

High Pass: Academic and clinical performance rated as exceptional in several areas, at least very good in all others. Personal and professional qualities are excellent. Capable of succeeding in any residency and will receive strong departmental support. (In a typical year, approximately 30% of students will achieve this grade.)

Pass: Academic and clinical performance ranging from acceptable to very good in all areas (and may be exceptional in some areas). Personal and professional qualities are at least very good. No significant deficiencies. Most students receiving this grade will be capable of succeeding in any residency but will be challenged by the most competitive, and will receive strong departmental support although will be advised not to limit applications to the most highly competitive programs. Some students receiving this grade would not be comfortable or successful in the most competitive residency programs, will be advised to apply to less competitive (but still very good) residencies, and will receive departmental support. (This is the modal grade: In a typical year, approximately 50% of students will achieve this grade.)

Pass marginal: Some significant deficiencies identified, requiring remedial work (at the discretion of the clerkship director and the clerkship grading committee, albeit not repeat of the entire clerkship) before a Pass grade for the clerkship can be awarded. A Pass marginal can only be remediated to a grade of Pass, and must be remediated for promotion. Pass marginal will not appear on the final transcript. In a typical year, 0-5% of students will achieve this grade.

Withdraw Failing: When a student has been enrolled for at least 50% of a clerkship and elects to withdraw with a failing performance, a grade of WF should be assigned. When the clerkship is retaken and completed, the student will be assigned the grade earned in the retaken clerkship. The transcript will have the WF grade as well as the grade assigned in the retaken clerkship. For example:

Adult Inpatient Clerkship: Medicine Block AI –2002 Grade WF
Adult Inpatient Clerkship: Medicine Block AI –2003 Grade HP

Fail: Very significant deficiencies, requiring that the student repeat the entire clerkship. (In a typical year, 0-2% of students will achieve this grade.)

Incomplete: Used at the discretion of the clerkship director, usually when a student who has otherwise done passing or better work has been unable to fulfill all course requirements due to extenuating circumstances. On the final transcript, the grade of “Incomplete” may be either struck out or replaced by the final clerkship grade, depending on the circumstances.

Electives will be graded as Pass or Fail. The grade options of Pm, WF and I also remain. Students who start electives and withdraw before completing the electives, will be assigned grades of W on their transcripts. Students will NOT receive partial credit for the weeks completed. (Approved September 18, 2001 MSPRB)